HBC Impact 00 Girls win Region I title, move on to National Championships

(Via ENYYSA) – Huntington’s HBC Impact ‘00 won all five games at Regionals from June 26 to 30 in West Virginia, outscoring their opponents, 11-2, in winning the Regional championship.

The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Girls-Under-14 team will be playing for the national championship from July 21 to 26 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. HBC received another $2,000 donation from the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) for Nationals, in addition to their $2,000 check for Regionals, to defray their costs during the National Championship Series.

“We’d like to thank Eastern New York for their support this year, running the State Cup and getting us to Regionals and then helping us financially to get here, which was important for us,” commented HBC coach Billy Carroll. “Regionals is an expensive event and Eastern New York really stepped up big for us. We’re going to Oklahoma, we had a really, really tough bracket here at Regionals, the Group of Death, and I’m really proud of my girls for getting through it.”

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Coach Carroll added, “For 14-year-olds to come here and act as professional as they did, I’m really proud of them. Some of my players had a huge, huge weekend.”

All 17 Impact players contributed to their Regional championship.

“To have that many players contribute speaks to the level of depth and work habit of our kids. We also went up against teams who only played their 10 starting field players,” Coach Carroll explained. “I believe because we played and trusted more girls, we were better rested, better hydrated and really more invested as a full team than others and I think it helped us in the stressful moments.”

Nina Carlomusto, Gina Giovinco and Lauren Mastrandrea scored in the 3-0 win over Virginia’s NVSC Jr. Majestics 00 in the Regional final with keeper Morgan Novikoff getting the shutout in goal. Ryan Conway was selected tournament MVP, with her and Kaylee Houlahan anchoring a defense that not only gave up few opportunities and only two goals but also provided great width in attack.

“The play from our attacking backs, Jade Fixon-Owoo, Sarah Quigley and Nina Carlomusto, especially in the last few games was unparalleled,” Coach Carroll added. “Daniella Keegan saved her best soccer of the year for the semifinals and finals. Lindsay Wright is typically a tenacious attacker in the withdrawn forward spot, and I was so proud of her selflessness and commitment to our team. Plus Julia Hannon was regularly marked by two and three opponents and yet scored a few brilliant goals and created most of our opportunities.”

After Nationals, HBC continues their ambitious schedule and will be playing in the USYSA National League, Bethesda Tournament, CASL Girls’ College Showcase, Disney Showcase and the Jefferson Cup.

“If we win them great, if not that’s fine as long as we’re developing and playing good soccer against good opponents,” Coach Carroll concluded.